Month: March 2012

Maybe it’s nostalgia, but I love watching the legendary Soul Train dance line. Those guys were avant-garde trendsetting pre-hipster hipsters and utter fashion freak show train wrecks all at the same time. And now the line has a new soundtrack thanks to MoonShoes (aka Gilles Paulet). Frenchman Gilles Paulet truly is the author and finisher of this funky disco soul hymn entitled “Boogieland” acting as producer, composer, arranger, performer and mixer. So pull out your platform shoes, strut your bell-bottomed trousers and don your clashing-patterned top and get your groove on as you take a ride back to the ’70s to find your inner funk.

Froglix adds to rotation a track from the most recent album by Low-Fi. “Something”, the first track off of What We Are Is Secret, is best defined as rock in the distinct European style…lot’s of synth and an electro beat.

A good friend of mine from Sharpsburg, MD (which is not at the end of the world but you can, in fact, see it from there) turned me on to these cats recently and all I can say is…wow. The Golden Butter Band’s ability to flow effortlessly between rock and reggae is truly jamalicious. As it turns out they are playing this Friday, March 16th at Sweet Caroline’s in ye olde Winchester,VA…and I shall be there.

I have a penchant for socially conscious bands. Somehow the music and lyrics let us all experience just a bit more of the human condition. From the plight of 20th Century Ireland voiced by U2’sWar album and Black 47’s“James Connolly”. To The Housemartins’“Caravan of Love” becoming an anthem for the striking coal miners of northern England and their railings against the British monarchy in the album The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death. To The Farm’s“All Together Now” heralding the soldiers of World War I who took a break from the trenches of war to play some footie on Christmas Day. And even to Chumbawamba’s anarchist bent. I could keep going, but I want to talk about a new band to add their voice to the amalgam of social ideals.

Froglix is pleased to add to The Big Mix two (2) tracks from The Wheel Workers debut album Unite. The Wheel Workers consist of Steven Higginbothom (vox, guitar, ukelele), Jason Williams (bass), Craig Wilkins (guitar, keyboard), Allison Wilkins McPhail (keyboard, vocals, theremin), and Jason Carmona (drums). Their sound ranges from alternative pop to folk to rock. And their music and lyrics will go from the atmosphere of a ragtime band on Bourbon Street to a fight for the proletariat against Wall Street.

My favorite track from the album is probably “Stereomad”. Steven’s steady and smooth delivery perfectly juxtaposes against the slightly ephemeral quality of Allison’s voice, over the backdrop of masterfully crafted alt-pop tunage. “The MOP” carries the sentiment of all who have a minimum wage job on their résumé typified with the lyric “let’s kick out the bosses and run it our way”. Now I’ve held both minimum wage jobs and “professional” jobs, and I think that desire is universal. I’ve even felt that way when I’ve worked for myself.

There are a bunch of other standout tracks. I’ve had the hardest time trying to pinpoint what “Open Door” sounds most like, maybe something like The Klaxons?? The middle of the album holds tunes perfect for an afternoon daydream in songs like “Spidermazes” and “Soft”. They kick it back up a notch right at the end with the stellar “The Seal and Whale”.

Grab the album for yourself…

And apparently their sophomore album is slated to come out this summer, so look for that on here as well.